December 2009

Some of the more than 25 plungers at today's event.

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 360)

Led by their intrepid leader Brownie Carson, over twenty-five plungers took to the frigid waters of Casco Bay earlier today to draw attention to the problem of global warming and the work that the Natural Resources Council of Maine is doing to defeat the problem here in Maine.  “What an opportunity we have here to jump into the water on this warm and gorgeous day,” said Carson, 62, as he led the plungers into the water just after noontime.  The water temp was 38 degrees; much warmer than the air temp.

Watching from the sidelines was his wife, Dana, and their new rescue dog, Abby.  She said she told him he was “nuts” to do this, but let it go at that.  “Afterall, he’s not forty years old any more,” she said laughing.  Another of the plungers was Jeff West who lives on the Hill.

After his plunge, Carson kidded with the other plungers that “it was tropical today” – that as the snow fell lightly.  The only preparation he’d made for this event was to eat a big breakfast.  “Seriously though,” he said, “please call Senators Snowe and Collins and ask them to support global warming legislation.  If  I’m still on this earth, I’ll do it again next year,” he said kidding.

“My pockets are full of money right now,” said Stacie Haines, membership manager.”  Actually, I know we’ve raised over $3,000 and certainly more than we did at last year’s plunge.”  Part of this event was to celebrate the Council’s fifith anniversary, and so it is uncertain as to whether or not it will be repeated next year.

New Home Of Mayo Street Arts, Originally St. Ansgar's Church

By Carol McCracken  (Post  359)

Plans for the much anticipated community arts center at 10 Mayo Street in the greater Munjoy Hill area were de tailed in a letter from the non-profit’s executive director, Ms. Blainor McGough to the city.   The letter dated December 21st outlined its plans to the city’s zoning board but did not mention that the owner of the historic 10 Mayo Street property belongs to the wealthy  Roxanne Quimby, co-founder of  Burt’s Bees and its former owner.

In the  letter,  McGough wrote that the proposed project will “house an art gallery, a performing arts space and artist studios. ”  Her letter goes on to say that the “main hall of the church will be used as a gallery and performance space, while the second floor and basement will be subleased as  6-8 artist studios.  Remaining space will be avilable for rehersal and meeting space for local performing artists and community groups.”

The purpose of “Mayo Street Arts is to create a dynamic visual and performing arts center.  It will create studio and exhibition space for artists, rehearsal and performance space for musicians and performers and a meeting space for community groups,” the letter also says.

McGough is a visual and performing artist from Portland with over fifteen years’ experience.  She has put together a team of advisors from the area that will help to administer the arts center’s programs.  The team includes Annie Wadleigh, Megan Grumbling, Brian Arlet, Kelly Nesbitt, Robyn Merrill, Bessie Moulton, Deidre Nice, and June Fitzpatrick.

The matter goes to the Zoning Board on January 7, 2010 at 6:30 pm, city hall, room 209 at which time a conditional use permit for the non-profit will be considered.

Please see previous post # 357, dated December 28, for more background on the subject.

Holiday Decorations on the Hill

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 358)

More than 20 hardy souls have signed up to take a bone-chilling plunge at  the East End Beach on Thursday, December 31 at noon.  The event is hosted by the Natural Resources Council of Maine.  The purpose of the plunge is to support the work that the NRCM does in reducing global warming pollution here in Maine.  Each entry is asked to raise at least $50. in support of the event.  Perhaps you can attend the plunge in order to cheer on the brave souls who’ve agreed to plunge in what will probably be frigid temps on Thursday.

One of the plungers is Brownie Carson, executive director of the 50 year old NRCM.  In his twenty-six years at the helm of the organization, the popular Carson has elevated this envronmental organization to national prominence.  During his tenure, Carson has been instrumental in seeing that some of state’s “first-in-the-nation” environmental laws were passed.

The 61 year old Carson under the auspices of the NRCM has led the way in protecting Maine’s treasured northern forest from the region’s latest threat, large-scale land speculation and development.  He has worked to protect the Greenville-Moosehead Lake region from massive development.  Under his leadership, NRCM was the first conservation organization to voice opposition to the Seattle-based Plum Creek Real Estate Investment Trust massive development in Maine’s north woods.   Carson, who is an attorney,  lives with his family in Brunswick.

The East End Beach was chosen as the site of this second NRCM plunge “because of its central location to Maine’s largest population in the greater Portland area,” said Stacie Haines of NRCM.  For more information, please email her at Stacie@nrcm.org

Carrie And Her Daughter Amanda O'Neil

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 357)

The City has  announced that wealthy businesswoman Roxanne Quimby, owner of historic property located at 10-12 Mayo Street, will be petitioning the Zoning Board of Appeals for a conditional use permit for a non-profit community center there; Thursday, January 7th, at 6:30 pm, room 209 of the Portland City Hall.

Her representative, Ms. Blainor McGough, will be asking the Board to change the use of the property into a “community center to serve the arts” as well as to relieve parking restrictions for the new arts center.   It is zoned R6.  The planned arts center is called –  Mayo Street Arts.

Roxanne Quimby purchased the property from Peoples’ Regional Opportunity Program (”PROP”) seveal years ago.  At the time, a representative of hers told MHN that Quimby intended to dedicate this historic building to the arts.  It was controversial at the time, because “A Company of Girls”, a nonprofit, had been based there for many years.  ACOG was forced to vacate the property because its purchase offer was  not accepted by PROP. For a time, ACOG was based at the former Adams School until it likewise had to vacate that premises.     ACOG  is still looking for a permanent base from which to run its award winning program for girls “at risk.”

In the intervening years since the vacation of ACOG from the Mayo Street property,  maintenance has been on-going at the Mayo Street property.  The exterior was repainted, siding was replaced and the roof as well.   Just prior to  vacating the property by ACOG,  a complete rennovation had occured inside the property.  It has stood unused since that time.  “I don’t think anyone knows what’s happening to the building.  They know  she’s (Roxanne Quimby) remodeling it, but that’s all, said longtime neighbor, Carrie O’Neil.  “We’ve been watching.  I’m glad they are doing something with it,” she said. ”But I doubt there is anyone in this neighborhood who would be interested in it,” she added.  Her daughter, Amanda,  used to attend Head Start there.

Roxanne Quimby, has been a major player if not controversial player in the acquisition of large tracts of land in northern Maine.  Last year  she was profiled in YANKEE magazine in an article titled, “The Most Controversial Woman in Maine.”  It may be viewed on line in the magazine’s archives section.    She’s also caused controversy here in Portland when her acquired property in Longfellow Square was deemed exempt from certain assessments recently.

Quimby and her former husband founded Burt’s Bees which she has since sold.